The iPhone Photography Awards (IPPA) for 2026 have crowned their winners, showcasing that award-worthy photos aren’t limited to Apple’s latest devices. While the grand prize and several top honors went to images captured on models like the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro series, several standout entries were taken on much older hardware-including the iPhone X, 8 Plus, 7 Plus, 6s, and 6 Plus. The competition drew submissions from more than 140 countries worldwide, highlighting the global impact of iPhone photography.
Robin Jenson claimed the grand prize with a dramatic volcano eruption photo snapped on the iPhone 15 Pro. The gold medal went to Gellért Gombai for a striking black-and-white image of two children shot on the iPhone X, a model introduced by Apple in 2017. Top awards were also claimed by shots made using the newest iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max.
Some categories amplified the contrast between generations of iPhones. Barry Mayes won the ”Abstract” category with a photo taken on the iPhone 8 Plus. Several jury-recognized and prize-winning entries were created on the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 6 Plus. This serves as a subtle nod to Apple’s narrative on product longevity, though the takeaway is more nuanced: the gap in image quality between newer and older iPhones is narrowing, especially for daytime photography.
According to Counterpoint Research, Apple continues to dominate the premium smartphone segment, holding more than half of the global market share. Camera upgrades remain one of the main incentives driving users to upgrade their devices, making iPhone photography evolution a key area for Apple in the competitive smartphone industry alongside rivals like Samsung and Google.
The 2026 IPPA results illustrate a fascinating trend: while Apple’s newest phones deliver unbeatable camera performance, older models remain remarkably capable tools for creative expression. As smartphone photography advances, the question becomes not just which device was used but how photographers leverage that technology. With computational photography evolving and sensor improvements expected to accelerate, future contests will likely showcase even more visually stunning work from a variety of devices-both new and old.